Do you ever have that feeling that you’re not getting through to someone? No matter how you deliver it, your words just don’t make an impact?
I am part of a writers group that meets on a weekly basis to talk about our work. We talk about our progress and problems, our frustrations and hopes. Whilst we are only a small group, we are geographically diverse so our meetings are convened via Skype video conference. This week was a classic example of the importance of having everything in order to enable effective communication.
I was all ready to share my updates on my current writing project and, equally importantly, to quiz my colleagues on theirs. But there was just one problem…
I couldn’t connect.
Half an hour on the phone to my ISP revealed that there was “scheduled maintenance” in my area. There was no way I could get a connection.
Whilst you may not experience the problem of a third party carrying out maintenance that disrupts your face-to-face communication, you’ll probably have times when it seems “I just can’t get through”.
The best communicators are not those who have the most interesting message to deliver, but those who are able to establish a good connection. Without it their message has no path to the receiver.
Whilst you can’t guarantee the person you’re talking to is ready to hear what you have to say, you can prepare the way for your words. Understanding the emotions of the person you’re talking to, and the issues weighing heavy on them will help you establish that connection.
Of course, you may discover the line is engaged so no matter how hard you try you won’t get through. In which case you’ll have to call back later.
